Fibrous structures

ABSTRACT

Fibrous structures that exhibit a Geometric Mean Elongation of greater than 15.8% as measured according to the Elongation Test Method are provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 13/216,298 filed Aug. 24, 2011, which is a continuation applicationof U.S. application Ser. No. 12/040,637 filed Feb. 29, 2008, now issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 8,025,966.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fibrous structures that exhibit aGeometric Mean Elongation of greater than 15.8% as measured according tothe Elongation Test Method and more particularly to fibrous structuresthat exhibit a Geometric Mean Elongation of greater than 15.8% asmeasured according to the Elongation Test Method and a Dry Burst of lessthan 660 g as measured according to the Dry Burst Test Method and/or aGeometric Mean Modulus of greater than 758 at 15g/cm as measuredaccording to the Modulus Test Method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fibrous structures, particularly sanitary tissue products comprisingfibrous structures, are known to exhibit different values for particularproperties. These differences may translate into one fibrous structurebeing softer or stronger or more absorbent or more flexible or lessflexible or exhibit greater stretch or exhibit less stretch, forexample, as compared to another fibrous structure.

One property of fibrous structures that is desirable to consumers is theGeometric Mean Elongation of the fibrous structure. It has been foundthat at least some consumers desire fibrous structures that exhibit aGeometric Mean Elongation of greater than 17.4% as measured according tothe Elongation Test Method and/or greater than 15% as measured accordingto the Elongation Test Method if the fibrous structure exhibits certainabsorbency properties and greater than 15.8% as measured according tothe Elongation Test Method if the fibrous structure is a multi-plyfibrous structures. However, such fibrous structures are not known inthe art. Accordingly, there exists a need for fibrous structures thatexhibit a Geometric Mean Elongation of greater than 15.8% as measuredaccording to the Elongation Test Method.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention fulfills the need described above by providingfibrous structures that exhibit a Geometric Mean Elongation of greaterthan 15.8% as measured according to the Elongation Test Method.

In one example of the present invention, a fibrous structure thatexhibits a Geometric Mean Elongation of greater than 17.4% as measuredaccording to the Elongation Test Method and a Dry Burst of less than 660g as measured according to the Dry Burst Test Method is provided.

In another example of the present invention, a multi-ply fibrousstructure that exhibits a Geometric Mean Elongation of greater than15.8% as measured according to the Elongation Test Method is provided.

In even another example of the present invention, a fibrous structurethat exhibits a Geometric Mean Elongation of greater than 17.4% asmeasured according to the Elongation Test Method and a Geometric MeanModulus of greater than 758 at 15 g/cm as measured according to theModulus Test Method is provided.

Accordingly, the present invention provides fibrous structures thatexhibit a Geometric Mean Elongation that consumers desire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plot of Geometric Mean Elongation to Dry Burst for fibrousstructures of the present invention and commercially available fibrousstructures, both single-ply and multi-ply sanitary tissue products,illustrating the high level of Geometric Mean Elongation exhibited bythe fibrous structures of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plot of Geometric Mean Elongation to Geometric Mean Modulusfor fibrous structure of the present invention and commerciallyavailable fibrous structures, both single-ply and multi-ply sanitarytissue products, illustrating the high level of Geometric MeanElongation and high level of Geometric Mean Modulus exhibited by thefibrous structures of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an example of a fibrousstructure in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along line 4-4;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a prior art fibrous structurecomprising linear elements.

FIG. 6 is an electromicrograph of a portion of a prior art fibrousstructure;

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of an example of a fibrousstructure according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of FIG. 7 taken along line 8-8;

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of an example of a fibrousstructure according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of an example of a fibrousstructure according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of an example of a fibrousstructure according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of an example of a fibrousstructure comprising various forms of linear elements in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of an example of a method formaking a fibrous structure according to the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic representation a portion of an example of amolding member in according with the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a cross-section view of FIG. 14 taken along line 15-15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Definitions

“Fibrous structure” as used herein means a structure that comprises oneor more filaments and/or fibers. In one example, a fibrous structureaccording to the present invention means an orderly arrangement offilaments and/or fibers within a structure in order to perform afunction. Nonlimiting examples of fibrous structures of the presentinvention include paper, fabrics (including woven, knitted, andnon-woven), and absorbent pads (for example for diapers or femininehygiene products).

Nonlimiting examples of processes for making fibrous structures includeknown wet-laid papermaking processes and air-laid papermaking processes.Such processes typically include steps of preparing a fiber compositionin the form of a suspension in a medium, either wet, more specificallyaqueous medium, or dry, more specifically gaseous, i.e. with air asmedium. The aqueous medium used for wet-laid processes is oftentimesreferred to as a fiber slurry. The fibrous slurry is then used todeposit a plurality of fibers onto a forming wire or belt such that anembryonic fibrous structure is formed, after which drying and/or bondingthe fibers together results in a fibrous structure. Further processingthe fibrous structure may be carried out such that a finished fibrousstructure is formed. For example, in typical papermaking processes, thefinished fibrous structure is the fibrous structure that is wound on thereel at the end of papermaking, and may subsequently be converted into afinished product, e.g. a sanitary tissue product.

The fibrous structures of the present invention may be homogeneous ormay be layered. If layered, the fibrous structures may comprise at leasttwo and/or at least three and/or at least four and/or at least fivelayers.

The fibrous structures of the present invention may be co-formed fibrousstructures.

“Co-formed fibrous structure” as used herein means that the fibrousstructure comprises a mixture of at least two different materialswherein at least one of the materials comprises a filament, such as apolypropylene filament, and at least one other material, different fromthe first material, comprises a solid additive, such as a fiber and/or aparticulate. In one example, a co-formed fibrous structure comprisessolid additives, such as fibers, such as wood pulp fibers, andfilaments, such as polypropylene filaments.

“Solid additive” as used herein means a fiber and/or a particulate.

“Particulate” as used herein means a granular substance or powder.

“Fiber” and/or “Filament” as used herein means an elongate particulatehaving an apparent length greatly exceeding its apparent width, i.e. alength to diameter ratio of at least about 10. In one example, a “fiber”is an elongate particulate as described above that exhibits a length ofless than 5.08 cm (2 in.) and a “filament” is an elongate particulate asdescribed above that exhibits a length of greater than or equal to 5.08cm (2 in.).

Fibers are typically considered discontinuous in nature. Nonlimitingexamples of fibers include wood pulp fibers and synthetic staple fiberssuch as polyester fibers.

Filaments are typically considered continuous or substantiallycontinuous in nature. Filaments are relatively longer than fibers.Nonlimiting examples of filaments include meltblown and/or spunbondfilaments. Nonlimiting examples of materials that can be spun intofilaments include natural polymers, such as starch, starch derivatives,cellulose and cellulose derivatives, hemicellulose, hemicellulosederivatives, and synthetic polymers including, but not limited topolyvinyl alcohol filaments and/or polyvinyl alcohol derivativefilaments, and thermoplastic polymer filaments, such as polyesters,nylons, polyolefins such as polypropylene filaments, polyethylenefilaments, and biodegradable or compostable thermoplastic fibers such aspolylactic acid filaments, polyhydroxyalkanoate filaments andpolycaprolactone filaments. The filaments may be monocomponent ormulticomponent, such as bicomponent filaments.

In one example of the present invention, “fiber” refers to papermakingfibers. Papermaking fibers useful in the present invention includecellulosic fibers commonly known as wood pulp fibers. Applicable woodpulps include chemical pulps, such as Kraft, sulfite, and sulfate pulps,as well as mechanical pulps including, for example, groundwood,thermomechanical pulp and chemically modified thermomechanical pulp.Chemical pulps, however, may be preferred since they impart a superiortactile sense of softness to tissue sheets made therefrom. Pulps derivedfrom both deciduous trees (hereinafter, also referred to as “hardwood”)and coniferous trees (hereinafter, also referred to as “softwood”) maybe utilized. The hardwood and softwood fibers can be blended, oralternatively, can be deposited in layers to provide a stratified web.U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,981 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,994,771 are incorporatedherein by reference for the purpose of disclosing layering of hardwoodand softwood fibers. Also applicable to the present invention are fibersderived from recycled paper, which may contain any or all of the abovecategories as well as other non-fibrous materials such as fillers andadhesives used to facilitate the original papermaking.

In addition to the various wood pulp fibers, other cellulosic fiberssuch as cotton linters, rayon, lyocell and bagasse can be used in thisinvention. Other sources of cellulose in the form of fibers or capableof being spun into fibers include grasses and grain sources.

“Sanitary tissue product” as used herein means a soft, low density (i.e.< about 0.15 g/cm3) web useful as a wiping implement for post-urinaryand post-bowel movement cleaning (toilet tissue), forotorhinolaryngological discharges (facial tissue), and multi-functionalabsorbent and cleaning uses (absorbent towels). The sanitary tissueproduct may be convolutedly wound upon itself about a core or without acore to form a sanitary tissue product roll.

In one example, the sanitary tissue product of the present inventioncomprises a fibrous structure according to the present invention.

The sanitary tissue products and/or fibrous structures of the presentinvention may exhibit a basis weight of greater than 15 g/m² (9.2lbs/3000 ft²) to about 120 g/m²(73.8 lbs/3000 ft²) and/or from about 15g/m² (9.2 lbs/3000 ft²) to about 110 g/m² (67.7 lbs/3000 ft²) and/orfrom about 20 g/m² (12.3 lbs/3000 ft²) to about 100 g/m² (61.5 lbs/3000ft²) and/or from about 30 (18.5 lbs/3000 ft²) to 90 g/m² (55.4 lbs/3000ft²). In addition, the sanitary tissue products and/or fibrousstructures of the present invention may exhibit a basis weight betweenabout 40 g/m² (24.6 lbs/3000 ft²) to about 120 g/m² (73.8 lbs/3000 ft²)and/or from about 50 g/m² (30.8 lbs/3000 ft²) to about 110 g/m² (67.7lbs/3000 ft²) and/or from about 55 g/m² (33.8 lbs/3000 ft²) to about 105g/m² (64.6 lbs/3000 ft²) and/or from about 60 g/m² (36.9 lbs/3000 ft²)to 100 g/m² (61.5 lbs/3000 ft²).

The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may exhibit atotal dry tensile strength of greater than about 59 g/cm (150 g/in)and/or from about 78 g/cm (200 g/in) to about 394 g/cm (1000 g/in)and/or from about 98 g/cm (250 g/in) to about 335 g/cm (850 g/in). Inaddition, the sanitary tissue product of the present invention mayexhibit a total dry tensile strength of greater than about 196 g/cm (500g/in) and/or from about 196 g/cm (500 g/in) to about 394 g/cm (1000g/in) and/or from about 216 g/cm (550 g/in) to about 335 g/cm (850 g/in)and/or from about 236 g/cm (600 g/in) to about 315 g/cm (800 g/in). Inone example, the sanitary tissue product exhibits a total dry tensilestrength of less than about 394 g/cm (1000 g/in) and/or less than about335 g/cm (850 g/in).

In another example, the sanitary tissue products of the presentinvention may exhibit a total dry tensile strength of greater than about196 g/cm (500 g/in) and/or greater than about 236 g/cm (600 g/in) and/orgreater than about 276 g/cm (700 g/in) and/or greater than about 315g/cm (800 g/in) and/or greater than about 354 g/cm (900 g/in) and/orgreater than about 394 g/cm (1000 g/in) and/or from about 315 g/cm (800g/in) to about 1968 g/cm (5000 g/in) and/or from about 354 g/cm (900g/in) to about 1181 g/cm (3000 g/in) and/or from about 354 g/cm (900g/in) to about 984 g/cm (2500 g/in) and/or from about 394 g/cm (1000g/in) to about 787 g/cm (2000 g/in).

The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may exhibit aninitial total wet tensile strength of less than about 78 g/cm (200 g/in)and/or less than about 59 g/cm (150 g/in) and/or less than about 39 g/cm(100 g/in) and/or less than about 29 g/cm (75 g/in).

The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may exhibit aninitial total wet tensile strength of greater than about 118 g/cm (300g/in) and/or greater than about 157 g/cm (400 g/in) and/or greater thanabout 196 g/cm (500 g/in) and/or greater than about 236 g/cm (600 g/in)and/or greater than about 276 g/cm (700 g/in) and/or greater than about315 g/cm (800 g/in) and/or greater than about 354 g/cm (900 g/in) and/orgreater than about 394 g/cm (1000 g/in) and/or from about 118 g/cm (300g/in) to about 1968 g/cm (5000 g/in) and/or from about 157 g/cm (400g/in) to about 1181 g/cm (3000 g/in) and/or from about 196 g/cm (500g/in) to about 984 g/cm (2500 g/in) and/or from about 196 g/cm (500g/in) to about 787 g/cm (2000 g/in) and/or from about 196 g/cm (500g/in) to about 591 g/cm (1500 g/in).

The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may exhibit adensity (measured at 95 g/in²) of less than about 0.60 g/cm³ and/or lessthan about 0.30 g/cm³ and/or less than about 0.20 g/cm³ and/or less thanabout 0.10 g/cm³ and/or less than about 0.07 g/cm³ and/or less thanabout 0.05 g/cm³ and/or from about 0.01 g/cm³ to about 0.20 g/cm³ and/orfrom about 0.02 g/cm³ to about 0.10 g/cm³.

The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may exhibit atotal absorptive capacity of according to the Horizontal Full Sheet(HFS) Test Method described herein of greater than about 10 g/g and/orgreater than about 12 g/g and/or greater than about 15 g/g and/orgreater than about 22.5 g/g and/or from about 15 g/g to about 50 g/gand/or to about 40 g/g and/or to about 30 g/g.

The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may exhibit aVertical Full Sheet (VFS) value as determined by the Vertical Full Sheet(VFS) Test Method described herein of greater than about 5 g/g and/orgreater than about 7 g/g and/or greater than about 9 g/g and/or greaterthan 12.6 g/g and/or from about 9 g/g to about 30 g/g and/or to about 25g/g and/or to about 20 g/g and/or to about 17 g/g.

The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may be in the formof sanitary tissue product rolls. Such sanitary tissue product rolls maycomprise a plurality of connected, but perforated sheets of fibrousstructure, that are separably dispensable from adjacent sheets.

The sanitary tissue products of the present invention may comprisesadditives such as softening agents, temporary wet strength agents,permanent wet strength agents, bulk softening agents, lotions,silicones, wetting agents, latexes, especially surface-pattern-appliedlatexes, dry strength agents such as carboxymethylcellulose and starch,and other types of additives suitable for inclusion in and/or onsanitary tissue products.

“Weight average molecular weight” as used herein means the weightaverage molecular weight as determined using gel permeationchromatography according to the protocol found in Colloids and SurfacesA. Physico Chemical & Engineering Aspects, Vol. 162, 2000, pg. 107-121.

“Basis Weight” as used herein is the weight per unit area of a samplereported in lbs/3000 ft² or g/m² and is measured according to the BasisWeight Test Method described herein.

“Caliper” as used herein means the macroscopic thickness of a fibrousstructure. Caliper is measured according to the Caliper Test Methoddescribed herein.

“Bulk” as used herein is calculated as the quotient of the Caliper(hereinafter defined), expressed in microns, divided by the basisweight, expressed in grams per square meter. The resulting Bulk isexpressed as cubic centimeters per gram. For the products of thisinvention, Bulks can be greater than about 3 cm³/g and/or greater thanabout 6 cm³/g and/or greater than about 9 cm³/g and/or greater thanabout 10.5 cm³/g up to about 30 cm³/g and/or up to about 20 cm³/g. Theproducts of this invention derive the Bulks referred to above from thebasesheet, which is the sheet produced by the tissue machine withoutpost treatments such as embossing. Nevertheless, the basesheets of thisinvention can be embossed to produce even greater bulk or aesthetics, ifdesired, or they can remain unembossed. In addition, the basesheets ofthis invention can be calendered to improve smoothness or decrease theBulk if desired or necessary to meet existing product specifications.

“Basis Weight Ratio” as used herein is the ratio of low basis weightportion of a fibrous structure to a high basis weight portion of afibrous structure. In one example, the fibrous structures of the presentinvention exhibit a basis weight ratio of from about 0.02 to about 1. Inanother example, the basis weight ratio of the basis weight of a linearelement of a fibrous structure to another portion of a fibrous structureof the present invention is from about 0.02 to about 1.

“Geometric Mean (“GM”) Elongation” as used herein is determined asdescribed in the Elongation Test Method described herein.

“Dry Burst” as used herein is determined as described in the Dry BurstTest Method described herein.

“Geometric Mean (“GM”) Modulus” as used herein is determined asdescribed in the Modulus Test Method described herein.

“Machine Direction” or “MD” as used herein means the direction parallelto the flow of the fibrous structure through the fibrous structuremaking machine and/or sanitary tissue product manufacturing equipment.

“Cross Machine Direction” or “CD” as used herein means the directionparallel to the width of the fibrous structure making machine and/orsanitary tissue product manufacturing equipment and perpendicular to themachine direction.

“Ply” as used herein means an individual, integral fibrous structure.

“Plies” as used herein means two or more individual, integral fibrousstructures disposed in a substantially contiguous, face-to-facerelationship with one another, forming a multi-ply fibrous structureand/or multi-ply sanitary tissue product. It is also contemplated thatan individual, integral fibrous structure can effectively form amulti-ply fibrous structure, for example, by being folded on itself.

“Linear element” as used herein means a discrete, unidirectional,uninterrupted portion of a fibrous structure having length of greaterthan about 4.5 mm. In one example, a linear element may comprise aplurality of non-linear elements In one example, a linear element inaccordance with the present invention is water-resistant. Unlessotherwise stated, the linear elements of the present invention arepresent on a surface of a fibrous structure. The length and/or widthand/or height of the linear element and/or linear element formingcomponent within a molding member, which results in a linear elementwithin a fibrous structure, is measured by the Dimensions of LinearElement/Linear Element Forming Component Test Method described herein.

In one example, the linear element and/or linear element formingcomponent is continuous or substantially continuous with a useablefibrous structure, for example in one case one or more 11 cm×11 cmsheets of fibrous structure.

“Discrete” as it refers to a linear element means that a linear elementhas at least one immediate adjacent region of the fibrous structure thatis different from the linear element.

“Unidirectional” as it refers to a linear element means that along thelength of the linear element, the linear element does not exhibit adirectional vector that contradicts the linear element's majordirectional vector.

“Uninterrupted” as it refers to a linear element means that a linearelement does not have a region that is different from the linear elementcutting across the linear element along its length. Undulations within alinear element such as those resulting from operations such crepingand/or foreshortening are not considered to result in regions that aredifferent from the linear element and thus do not interrupt the linearelement along its length.

“Water-resistant” as it refers to a linear element means that a linearelement retains its structure and/or integrity after being saturated.

“Substantially machine direction oriented” as it refers to a linearelement means that the total length of the linear element that ispositioned at an angle of greater than 45° to the cross machinedirection is greater than the total length of the linear element that ispositioned at an angle of 45° or less to the cross machine direction.

“Substantially cross machine direction oriented” as it refers to alinear element means that the total length of the linear element that ispositioned at an angle of 45° or greater to the machine direction isgreater than the total length of the linear element that is positionedat an angle of less than 45° to the machine direction.

Fibrous Structure

The fibrous structures of the present invention may be a single-ply ormulti-ply fibrous structure.

In one example of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, afibrous structure, for example a multi-ply fibrous structure, exhibits aGM Elongation of greater than 15.8% and/or greater than about 16% and/orgreater than about 17% as measured according to the Elongation TestMethod. In another example of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 1and 2, a fibrous structure, for example a single-ply fibrous structure,exhibits a GM Elongation of greater than 17.4% and/or greater than about17.5% as measured according to the Elongation Test Method.

In another example of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, afibrous structure exhibits a Dry Burst of less than 660 g and/or fromabout 100 g to about 600 g as measured according to the Dry Burst TestMethod. In even another example of the present invention as shown inFIG. 1, a fibrous structure exhibits a Dry Burst of greater than about100 g and/or from about 100 g to about 1000 g and/or from about 100 g toabout 600 g as measured according to the

Dry Burst Test Method.

In yet another example of the present invention as shown in FIG. 2, afibrous structure exhibits a GM Modulus of greater than 758 at 15 g/cmand/or greater than about 775 at 15 g/cm and/or greater than about 800at 15 g/cm and/or greater than about 900 at 15 g/cm and/or greater thanabout 1000 at 15 g/cm as measured according to the Modulus Test Method.

Table 1 below shows the physical property values of fibrous structuresin accordance with the present invention and commercially availablefibrous structures.

GM Dry GM Basis Fibrous Elongation Burst Modulus Weight Structure # ofPlies % g at 15 g/cm gsm Invention 2 15.9 399 1086 38.3 Invention 2 17.5439 1016 39.1 Charmin ® Basic 1 17.4 215 758 29.4 Charmin ® Basic 1 17.2194 640 28.8 Charmin ® Ultra 2 14.9 303 1212 38.1 Strong Cottonelle ® 215.5 356 671 44.5 Ultra Cottonelle ® 2 13.9 341 911 42.8 UltraCottonelle ® with 1 15.7 259 590.6 30.5 Ripples Bounty ® Basic 1 16.9605 1393 43.7 Kleenex Viva ® 1 23 663 621 65.5 Quilted 2 14.1 148 74145.7 Northern ® Ultra Quilted 1 13 218 954 37.5 Northern ® Angel Soft ®2 11.8 217 961 34.3

In even yet another example of the present invention, a fibrousstructure comprises cellulosic pulp fibers. However, othernaturally-occurring and/or non-naturally occurring fibers and/orfilaments may be present in the fibrous structures of the presentinvention.

In one example of the present invention, a fibrous structure comprises athroughdried fibrous structure. The fibrous structure may be creped oruncreped. In one example, the fibrous structure is a wet-laid fibrousstructure.

The fibrous structure may be incorporated into a single- or multi-plysanitary tissue product. The sanitary tissue product may be in roll formwhere it is convolutedly wrapped about itself with or without theemployment of a core.

A nonlimiting example of a fibrous structure in accordance with thepresent invention is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIGS. 3 and 4 show afibrous structure 10 comprising one or more linear elements 12. Thelinear elements 12 are oriented in the machine or substantially themachine direction on the surface 14 of the fibrous structure 10. In oneexample, one or more of the linear elements 12 may exhibit a length L ofgreater than about 4.5 mm and/or greater than about 6 mm and/or greaterthan about 10 mm and/or greater than about 20 mm and/or greater thanabout 30 mm and/or greater than about 45 mm and/or greater than about 60mm and/or greater than about 75 mm and/or greater than about 90 mm. Forcomparison, as shown in FIG. 5, a schematic representation of acommercially available toilet tissue product 20 has a plurality ofsubstantially machine direction oriented linear elements 12 wherein thelongest linear element 12 present in the toilet tissue product 20exhibits a length L′ of 4.3 mm or less. FIG. 6 is a micrograph of asurface of a commercially available toilet tissue product 30 thatcomprises substantially machine direction oriented linear elements 12wherein the longest linear element 12 present in the toilet tissueproduct 30 exhibits a length L″ of 4.3 mm or less.

In one example, the width W of one or more of the linear elements 12 isless than about 10 mm and/or less than about 7 mm and/or less than about5 mm and/or less than about 2 mm and/or less than about 1.7 mm and/orless than about 1.5 mm to about 0 mm and/or to about 0.10 mm and/or toabout 0.20 mm. In another example, the linear element height of one ormore of the linear elements is greater than about 0.10 mm and/or greaterthan about 0.50 mm and/or greater than about 0.75 mm and/or greater thanabout 1 mm to about 4 mm and/or to about 3 mm and/or to about 2.5 mmand/or to about 2 mm.

In another example, the fibrous structure of the present inventionexhibits a ratio of linear element height (in mm) to linear elementwidth (in mm) of greater than about 0.35 and/or greater than about 0.45and/or greater than about 0.5 and/or greater than about 0.75 and/orgreater than about 1.

One or more of the linear elements may exhibit a geometric mean oflinear element height by linear element of width of greater than about0.25 mm² and/or greater than about 0.35 mm² and/or greater than about0.5 mm² and/or greater than about 0.75 mm².

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the fibrous structure 10 may comprise aplurality of substantially machine direction oriented linear elements 12that are present on the fibrous structure 10 at a frequency of greaterthan about 1 linear element/5 cm and/or greater than about 4 linearelements/5 cm and/or greater than about 7 linear elements/5 cm and/orgreater than about 15 linear elements/5 cm and/or greater than about 20linear elements/5 cm and/or greater than about 25 linear elements/5 cmand/or greater than about 30 linear elements/5 cm up to about 50 linearelements/5 cm and/or to about 40 linear elements/5 cm.

In another example of a fibrous structure according to the presentinvention, the fibrous structure exhibits a ratio of a frequency oflinear elements (per cm) to the width (in cm) of one linear element ofgreater than about 3 and/or greater than about 5 and/or greater thanabout 7.

The linear elements of the present invention may be in any shape, suchas lines, zig-zag lines, serpentine lines. In one example, a linearelement does not intersect another linear element.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a fibrous structure 10′ of the presentinvention may comprise one or more linear elements 12′. The linearelements 12′ may be oriented on a surface 14′ of a fibrous structure 12′in any direction such as machine direction, cross machine direction,substantially machine direction oriented, substantially cross machinedirection oriented. Two or more linear elements may be oriented indifferent directions on the same surface of a fibrous structureaccording to the present invention. In the case of FIGS. 7 and 8, thelinear elements 12′ are oriented in the cross machine direction. Eventhough the fibrous structure 10′ comprises only two linear elements 12′,it is within the scope of the present invention for the fibrousstructure 10′ to comprise three or more linear elements 12′.

The dimensions (length, width and/or height) of the linear elements ofthe present invention may vary from linear element to linear elementwithin a fibrous structure. As a result, the gap width betweenneighboring linear elements may vary from one gap to another within afibrous structure.

In one example, the linear element may comprise an embossment. Inanother example, the linear element may be an embossed linear elementrather than a linear element formed during a fibrous structure makingprocess.

In another example, a plurality of linear elements may be present on asurface of a fibrous structure in a pattern such as in a corduroypattern.

In still another example, a surface of a fibrous structure may comprisea discontinuous pattern of a plurality of linear elements wherein atleast one of the linear elements exhibits a linear element length ofgreater than about 30 mm.

In yet another example, a surface of a fibrous structure comprises atleast one linear element that exhibits a width of less than about 10 mmand/or less than about 7 mm and/or less than about 5 mm and/or less thanabout 3 mm and/or to about 0.01 mm and/or to about 0.1 mm and/or toabout 0.5 mm.

The linear elements may exhibit any suitable height known to those ofskill in the art. For example, a linear element may exhibit a height ofgreater than about 0.10 mm and/or greater than about 0.20 mm and/orgreater than about 0.30 mm to about 3.60 mm and/or to about 2.75 mmand/or to about 1.50 mm. A linear element's height is measuredirrespective of arrangement of a fibrous structure in a multi-plyfibrous structure, for example, the linear element's height may extendinward within the fibrous structure.

The fibrous structures of the present invention may comprise at leastone linear element that exhibits a height to width ratio of greater thanabout 0.350 and/or greater than about 0.450 and/or greater than about0.500 and/or greater than about 0.600 and/or to about 3 and/or to about2 and/or to about 1.

In another example, a linear element on a surface of a fibrous structuremay exhibit a geometric mean of height by width of greater than about0.250 and/or greater than about 0.350 and/or greater than about 0.450and/or to about 3 and/or to about 2 and/or to about 1.

The fibrous structures of the present invention may comprise linearelements in any suitable frequency. For example, a surface of a fibrousstructure may comprises linear elements at a frequency of greater thanabout 1 linear element/5 cm and/or greater than about 1 linear element/3cm and/or greater than about 1 linear element/cm and/or greater thanabout 3 linear elements/cm.

In one example, a fibrous structure comprises a plurality of linearelements that are present on a surface of the fibrous structure at aratio of frequency of linear elements to width of at least one linearelement of greater than about 3 and/or greater than about 5 and/orgreater than about 7.

The fibrous structure of the present invention may comprise a surfacecomprising a plurality of linear elements such that the ratio ofgeometric mean of height by width of at least one linear element tofrequency of linear elements is greater than about 0.050 and/or greaterthan about 0.750 and/or greater than about 0.900 and/or greater thanabout 1 and/or greater than about 2 and/or up to about 20 and/or up toabout 15 and/or up to about 10.

In addition to one or more linear elements 12″, as shown in FIG. 9, afibrous structure 10″ of the present invention may further comprise oneor more non-linear elements 16″. In one example, a non-linear element16″ present on the surface 14″ of a fibrous structure 10″ iswater-resistant. In another example, a non-linear element 16″ present onthe surface 14″ of a fibrous structure 10″ comprises an embossment. Whenpresent on a surface of a fibrous structure, a plurality of non-linearelements may be present in a pattern. The pattern may comprise ageometric shape such as a polygon. Nonlimiting example of suitablepolygons are selected from the group consisting of: triangles, diamonds,trapezoids, parallelograms, rhombuses, stars, pentagons, hexagons,octagons and mixtures thereof.

One or more of the fibrous structures of the present invention may forma single- or multi-ply sanitary tissue product. In one example, as shownin FIG. 10, a multi-ply sanitary tissue product 30 comprises a first ply32 and a second ply 34 wherein the first ply 32 comprises a surface 14′″comprising a plurality of linear elements 12′″, in this case beingoriented in the machine direction or substantially machine directionoriented. The plies 32 and 34 are arranged such that the linear elements12′″ extend inward into the interior of the sanitary tissue product 30rather than outward.

In another example, as shown in FIG. 11, a multi-ply sanitary tissueproduct 40 comprises a first ply 42 and a second ply 44 wherein thefirst ply 42 comprises a surface 14′ comprising a plurality of linearelements 12′, in this case being oriented in the machine direction orsubstantially machine direction oriented. The plies 42 and 44 arearranged such that the linear elements 12′ extend outward from thesurface 14′ of the sanitary tissue product 40 rather than inward intothe interior of the sanitary tissue product 40.

As shown in FIG. 12, a fibrous structure 10′″ of the present inventionmay comprise a variety of different forms of linear elements 12′″, aloneor in combination, such as serpentines, dashes, MD and/or CD oriented,and the like.

Methods for Making Fibrous Structures

The fibrous structures of the present invention may be made by anysuitable process known in the art. The method may be a fibrous structuremaking process that uses a cylindrical dryer such as a Yankee (aYankee-process) or it may be a Yankeeless process as is used to makesubstantially uniform density and/or uncreped fibrous structures.

The fibrous structure of the present invention may be made using amolding member. A “molding member” is a structural element that can beused as a support for an embryonic web comprising a plurality ofcellulosic fibers and a plurality of synthetic fibers, as well as aforming unit to form, or “mold,” a desired microscopical geometry of thefibrous structure of the present invention. The molding member maycomprise any element that has fluid-permeable areas and the ability toimpart a microscopical three-dimensional pattern to the structure beingproduced thereon, and includes, without limitation, single-layer andmulti-layer structures comprising a stationary plate, a belt, a wovenfabric (including Jacquard-type and the like woven patterns), a band,and a roll. In one example, the molding member is a deflection member.

A “reinforcing element” is a desirable (but not necessary) element insome embodiments of the molding member, serving primarily to provide orfacilitate integrity, stability, and durability of the molding membercomprising, for example, a resinous material. The reinforcing elementcan be fluid-permeable or partially fluid-permeable, may have a varietyof embodiments and weave patterns, and may comprise a variety ofmaterials, such as, for example, a plurality of interwoven yarns(including Jacquard-type and the like woven patterns), a felt, aplastic, other suitable synthetic material, or any combination thereof.

In one example of a method for making a fibrous structure of the presentinvention, the method comprises the step of contacting an embryonicfibrous web with a deflection member (molding member) such that at leastone portion of the embryonic fibrous web is deflected out- of-plane ofanother portion of the embryonic fibrous web. The phrase “out-of-plane”as used herein means that the fibrous structure comprises aprotuberance, such as a dome, or a cavity that extends away from theplane of the fibrous structure. The molding member may comprise athrough-air-drying fabric having its filaments arranged to producelinear elements within the fibrous structures of the present inventionand/or the through-air-drying fabric or equivalent may comprise aresinous framework that defines deflection conduits that allow portionsof the fibrous structure to deflect into the conduits thus forminglinear elements within the fibrous structures of the present invention.In addition, a forming wire, such as a foraminous member may be arrangedsuch that linear elements within the fibrous structures of the presentinvention are formed and/or like the through-air-drying fabric, theforaminous member may comprise a resinous framework that definesdeflection conduits that allow portions of the fibrous structure todeflect into the conduits thus forming linear elements within thefibrous structures of the present invention.

In another example of a method for making a fibrous structure of thepresent invention, the method comprises the steps of:

-   -   (a) providing a fibrous furnish comprising fibers; and    -   (b) depositing the fibrous furnish onto a deflection member such        that at least one fiber is deflected out-of-plane of the other        fibers present on the deflection member.

In still another example of a method for making a fibrous structure ofthe present invention, the method comprises the steps of:

-   -   (a) providing a fibrous furnish comprising fibers;    -   (b) depositing the fibrous furnish onto a foraminous member to        form an embryonic fibrous web;    -   (c) associating the embryonic fibrous web with a deflection        member such that at least one fiber is deflected out-of-plane of        the other fibers present in the embryonic fibrous web; and    -   (d) drying said embryonic fibrous web such that that the dried        fibrous structure is formed.

In another example of a method for making a fibrous structure of thepresent invention, the method comprises the steps of:

-   -   (a) providing a fibrous furnish comprising fibers;    -   (b) depositing the fibrous furnish onto a first foraminous        member such that an embryonic fibrous web is formed;    -   (c) associating the embryonic web with a second foraminous        member which has one surface (the embryonic fibrous        web-contacting surface) comprising a macroscopically monoplanar        network surface which is continuous and patterned and which        defines a first region of deflection conduits and a second        region of deflection conduits within the first region of        deflection conduits;    -   (d) deflecting the fibers in the embryonic fibrous web into the        deflection conduits and removing water from the embryonic web        through the deflection conduits so as to form an intermediate        fibrous web under such conditions that the deflection of fibers        is initiated no later than the time at which the water removal        through the deflection conduits is initiated; and    -   (e) optionally, drying the intermediate fibrous web; and    -   (f) optionally, foreshortening the intermediate fibrous web.

The fibrous structures of the present invention may be made by a methodwherein a fibrous furnish is applied to a first foraminous member toproduce an embryonic fibrous web. The embryonic fibrous web may thencome into contact with a second foraminous member that comprises adeflection member to produce an intermediate fibrous web that comprisesa network surface and at least one dome region. The intermediate fibrousweb may then be further dried to form a fibrous structure of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a simplified, schematic representation of one example of acontinuous fibrous structure making process and machine useful in thepractice of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 13, one example of a process and equipment, representedas 50 for making a fibrous structure according to the present inventioncomprises supplying an aqueous dispersion of fibers (a fibrous furnish)to a headbox 52 which can be of any convenient design. From headbox 52the aqueous dispersion of fibers is delivered to a first foraminousmember 54 which is typically a Fourdrinier wire, to produce an embryonicfibrous web 56.

The first foraminous member 54 may be supported by a breast roll 58 anda plurality of return rolls 60 of which only two are shown. The firstforaminous member 54 can be propelled in the direction indicated bydirectional arrow 62 by a drive means, not shown. Optional auxiliaryunits and/or devices commonly associated fibrous structure makingmachines and with the first foraminous member 54, but not shown, includeforming boards, hydrofoils, vacuum boxes, tension rolls, support rolls,wire cleaning showers, and the like.

After the aqueous dispersion of fibers is deposited onto the firstforaminous member 54, embryonic fibrous web 56 is formed, typically bythe removal of a portion of the aqueous dispersing medium by techniqueswell known to those skilled in the art. Vacuum boxes, forming boards,hydrofoils, and the like are useful in effecting water removal. Theembryonic fibrous web 56 may travel with the first foraminous member 54about return roll 60 and is brought into contact with a deflectionmember 64, which may also be referred to as a second foraminous member.While in contact with the deflection member 64, the embryonic fibrousweb 56 will be deflected, rearranged, and/or further dewatered.

The deflection member 64 may be in the form of an endless belt. In thissimplified representation, deflection member 64 passes around and aboutdeflection member return rolls 66 and impression nip roll 68 and maytravel in the direction indicated by directional arrow 70. Associatedwith deflection member 64, but not shown, may be various support rolls,other return rolls, cleaning means, drive means, and the like well knownto those skilled in the art that may be commonly used in fibrousstructure making machines.

Regardless of the physical form which the deflection member 64 takes,whether it is an endless belt as just discussed or some other embodimentsuch as a stationary plate for use in making handsheets or a rotatingdrum for use with other types of continuous processes, it must havecertain physical characteristics. For example, the deflection member maytake a variety of configurations such as belts, drums, flat plates, andthe like.

First, the deflection member 64 may be foraminous. That is to say, itmay possess continuous passages connecting its first surface 72 (or“upper surface” or “working surface”; i.e. the surface with which theembryonic fibrous web is associated, sometimes referred to as the“embryonic fibrous web-contacting surface”) with its second surface 74(or “lower surface”; i.e., the surface with which the deflection memberreturn rolls are associated). In other words, the deflection member 64may be constructed in such a manner that when water is caused to beremoved from the embryonic fibrous web 56, as by the application ofdifferential fluid pressure, such as by a vacuum box 76, and when thewater is removed from the embryonic fibrous web 56 in the direction ofthe deflection member 64, the water can be discharged from the systemwithout having to again contact the embryonic fibrous web 56 in eitherthe liquid or the vapor state.

Second, the first surface 72 of the deflection member 64 may compriseone or more ridges 78 as represented in one example in FIGS. 14 and 15.The ridges 78 may be made by any suitable material. For example, a resinmay be used to create the ridges 78. The ridges 78 may be continuous, oressentially continuous. In one example, the ridges 78 exhibit a lengthof greater than about 30 mm. The ridges 78 may be arranged to producethe fibrous structures of the present invention when utilized in asuitable fibrous structure making process. The ridges 78 may bepatterned. The ridges 78 may be present on the deflection member 64 atany suitable frequency to produce the fibrous structures of the presentinvention. The ridges 78 may define within the deflection member 64 aplurality of deflection conduits 80. The deflection conduits 80 may bediscrete, isolated, deflection conduits.

The deflection conduits 80 of the deflection member 64 may be of anysize and shape or configuration so long at least one produces a linearelement in the fibrous structure produced thereby. The deflectionconduits 80 may repeat in a random pattern or in a uniform pattern.Portions of the deflection member 64 may comprise deflection conduits 80that repeat in a random pattern and other portions of the deflectionmember 64 may comprise deflection conduits 80 that repeat in a uniformpattern.

The ridges 78 of the deflection member 64 may be associated with a belt,wire or other type of substrate. As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the ridges78 of the deflection member 64 is associated with a woven belt 82. Thewoven belt 82 may be made by any suitable material, for examplepolyester, known to those skilled in the art.

As shown in FIG. 15, a cross sectional view of a portion of thedeflection member 64 taken along line 15-15 of FIG. 14, the deflectionmember 64 can be foraminous since the deflection conduits 80 extendcompletely through the deflection member 64.

In one example, the deflection member of the present invention may be anendless belt which can be constructed by, among other methods, a methodadapted from techniques used to make stencil screens. By “adapted” it ismeant that the broad, overall techniques of making stencil screens areused, but improvements, refinements, and modifications as discussedbelow are used to make member having significantly greater thicknessthan the usual stencil screen.

Broadly, a foraminous member (such as a woven belt) is thoroughly coatedwith a liquid photosensitive polymeric resin to a preselected thickness.A mask or negative incorporating the pattern of the preselected ridgesis juxtaposed the liquid photosensitive resin; the resin is then exposedto light of an appropriate wave length through the mask. This exposureto light causes curing of the resin in the exposed areas. Unexpected(and uncured) resin is removed from the system leaving behind the curedresin forming the ridges defining within it a plurality of deflectionconduits.

In another example, the deflection member can be prepared using as theforaminous member, such as a woven belt, of width and length suitablefor use on the chosen fibrous structure making machine. The ridges andthe deflection conduits are formed on this woven belt in a series ofsections of convenient dimensions in a batchwise manner, i.e. onesection at a time. Details of this nonlimiting example of a process forpreparing the deflection member follow.

First, a planar forming table is supplied. This forming table is atleast as wide as the width of the foraminous woven element and is of anyconvenient length. It is provided with means for securing a backing filmsmoothly and tightly to its surface. Suitable means include provisionfor the application of vacuum through the surface of the forming table,such as a plurality of closely spaced orifices and tensioning means.

A relatively thin, flexible polymeric (such as polypropylene) backingfilm is placed on the forming table and is secured thereto, as by theapplication of vacuum or the use of tension. The backing film serves toprotect the surface of the forming table and to provide a smooth surfacefrom which the cured photosensitive resins will, later, be readilyreleased. This backing film will form no part of the completeddeflection member.

Either the backing film is of a color which absorbs activating light orthe backing film is at least semi-transparent and the surface of theforming table absorbs activating light.

A thin film of adhesive, such as 8091 Crown Spray Heavy Duty Adhesivemade by Crown Industrial Products Co. of Hebron, Ill., is applied to theexposed surface of the backing film or, alternatively, to the knucklesof the woven belt. A section of the woven belt is then placed in contactwith the backing film where it is held in place by the adhesive. Thewoven belt is under tension at the time it is adhered to the backingfilm.

Next, the woven belt is coated with liquid photosensitive resin. As usedherein, “coated” means that the liquid photosensitive resin is appliedto the woven belt where it is carefully worked and manipulated to insurethat all the openings (interstices) in the woven belt are filled withresin and that all of the filaments comprising the woven belt areenclosed with the resin as completely as possible. Since the knuckles ofthe woven belt are in contact with the backing film, it will not bepossible to completely encase the whole of each filament withphotosensitive resin. Sufficient additional liquid photosensitive resinis applied to the woven belt to form a deflection member having acertain preselected thickness. The deflection member can be from about0.35 mm (0.014 in.) to about 3.0 mm (0.150 in.) in overall thickness andthe ridges can be spaced from about 0.10 mm (0.004 in.) to about 2.54 mm(0.100 in.) from the mean upper surface of the knuckles of the wovenbelt. Any technique well known to those skilled in the art can be usedto control the thickness of the liquid photosensitive resin coating. Forexample, shims of the appropriate thickness can be provided on eitherside of the section of deflection member under construction; an excessquantity of liquid photosensitive resin can be applied to the woven beltbetween the shims; a straight edge resting on the shims and can then bedrawn across the surface of the liquid photosensitive resin therebyremoving excess material and forming a coating of a uniform thickness.

Suitable photosensitive resins can be readily selected from the manyavailable commercially. They are typically materials, usually polymers,which cure or cross-link under the influence of activating radiation,usually ultraviolet (UV) light. References containing more informationabout liquid photosensitive resins include Green et al,“Photocross-linkable Resin Systems,” J. Macro. Sci-Revs. Macro. Chem,C21(2), 187-273 (1981-82); Boyer, “A Review of Ultraviolet CuringTechnology,” Tappi Paper Synthetics Conf. Proc., Sep. 25-27, 1978, pp167-172; and Schmidle, “Ultraviolet Curable Flexible Coatings,” J. ofCoated Fabrics, 8, 10-20 (July, 1978). All the preceding threereferences are incorporated herein by reference. In one example, theridges are made from the Merigraph series of resins made by HerculesIncorporated of Wilmington, Del.

Once the proper quantity (and thickness) of liquid photosensitive resinis coated on the woven belt, a cover film is optionally applied to theexposed surface of the resin. The cover film, which must be transparentto light of activating wave length, serves primarily to protect the maskfrom direct contact with the resin.

A mask (or negative) is placed directly on the optional cover film or onthe surface of the resin. This mask is formed of any suitable materialwhich can be used to shield or shade certain portions of the liquidphotosensitive resin from light while allowing the light to reach otherportions of the resin. The design or geometry preselected for the ridgesis, of course, reproduced in this mask in regions which allow thetransmission of light while the geometries preselected for the grossforamina are in regions which are opaque to light.

A rigid member such as a glass cover plate is placed atop the mask andserves to aid in maintaining the upper surface of the photosensitiveliquid resin in a planar configuration.

The liquid photosensitive resin is then exposed to light of theappropriate wave length through the cover glass, the mask, and the coverfilm in such a manner as to initiate the curing of the liquidphotosensitive resin in the exposed areas. It is important to note thatwhen the described procedure is followed, resin which would normally bein a shadow cast by a filament, which is usually opaque to activatinglight, is cured. Curing this particular small mass of resin aids inmaking the bottom side of the deflection member planar and in isolatingone deflection conduit from another.

After exposure, the cover plate, the mask, and the cover film areremoved from the system. The resin is sufficiently cured in the exposedareas to allow the woven belt along with the resin to be stripped fromthe backing film.

Uncured resin is removed from the woven belt by any convenient meanssuch as vacuum removal and aqueous washing.

A section of the deflection member is now essentially in final form.Depending upon the nature of the photosensitive resin and the nature andamount of the radiation previously supplied to it, the remaining, atleast partially cured, photosensitive resin can be subjected to furtherradiation in a post curing operation as required.

The backing film is stripped from the forming table and the process isrepeated with another section of the woven belt. Conveniently, the wovenbelt is divided off into sections of essentially equal and convenientlengths which are numbered serially along its length. Odd numberedsections are sequentially processed to form sections of the deflectionmember and then even numbered sections are sequentially processed untilthe entire belt possesses the characteristics required of the deflectionmember. The woven belt may be maintained under tension at all times.

In the method of construction just described, the knuckles of the wovenbelt actually form a portion of the bottom surface of the deflectionmember. The woven belt can be physically spaced from the bottom surface.

Multiple replications of the above described technique can be used toconstruct deflection members having the more complex geometries.

The deflection member of the present invention may be made or partiallymade according to U.S. Pat. No. 4,637,859, issued Jan. 20, 1987 toTrokhan.

As shown in FIG. 13, after the embryonic fibrous web 56 has beenassociated with the deflection member 64, fibers within the embryonicfibrous web 56 are deflected into the deflection conduits present in thedeflection member 64. In one example of this process step, there isessentially no water removal from the embryonic fibrous web 56 throughthe deflection conduits after the embryonic fibrous web 56 has beenassociated with the deflection member 64 but prior to the deflecting ofthe fibers into the deflection conduits. Further water removal from theembryonic fibrous web 56 can occur during and/or after the time thefibers are being deflected into the deflection conduits. Water removalfrom the embryonic fibrous web 56 may continue until the consistency ofthe embryonic fibrous web 56 associated with deflection member 64 isincreased to from about 25% to about 35%. Once this consistency of theembryonic fibrous web 56 is achieved, then the embryonic fibrous web 56is referred to as an intermediate fibrous web 84. During the process offorming the embryonic fibrous web 56, sufficient water may be removed,such as by a noncompressive process, from the embryonic fibrous web 56before it becomes associated with the deflection member 64 so that theconsistency of the embryonic fibrous web 56 may be from about 10% toabout 30%.

While applicants decline to be bound by any particular theory ofoperation, it appears that the deflection of the fibers in the embryonicweb and water removal from the embryonic web begin essentiallysimultaneously. Embodiments can, however, be envisioned whereindeflection and water removal are sequential operations. Under theinfluence of the applied differential fluid pressure, for example, thefibers may be deflected into the deflection conduit with an attendantrearrangement of the fibers. Water removal may occur with a continuedrearrangement of fibers. Deflection of the fibers, and of the embryonicfibrous web, may cause an apparent increase in surface area of theembryonic fibrous web. Further, the rearrangement of fibers may appearto cause a rearrangement in the spaces or capillaries existing betweenand/or among fibers.

It is believed that the rearrangement of the fibers can take one of twomodes dependent on a number of factors such as, for example, fiberlength. The free ends of longer fibers can be merely bent in the spacedefined by the deflection conduit while the opposite ends are restrainedin the region of the ridges. Shorter fibers, on the other hand, canactually be transported from the region of the ridges into thedeflection conduit (The fibers in the deflection conduits will also berearranged relative to one another). Naturally, it is possible for bothmodes of rearrangement to occur simultaneously.

As noted, water removal occurs both during and after deflection; thiswater removal may result in a decrease in fiber mobility in theembryonic fibrous web. This decrease in fiber mobility may tend to fixand/or freeze the fibers in place after they have been deflected andrearranged. Of course, the drying of the web in a later step in theprocess of this invention serves to more firmly fix and/or freeze thefibers in position.

Any convenient means conventionally known in the papermaking art can beused to dry the intermediate fibrous web 84. Examples of such suitabledrying process include subjecting the intermediate fibrous web 84 toconventional and/or flow-through dryers and/or Yankee dryers.

In one example of a drying process, the intermediate fibrous web 84 inassociation with the deflection member 64 passes around the deflectionmember return roll 66 and travels in the direction indicated bydirectional arrow 70. The intermediate fibrous web 84 may first passthrough an optional predryer 86. This predryer 86 can be a conventionalflow-through dryer (hot air dryer) well known to those skilled in theart. Optionally, the predryer 86 can be a so-called capillary dewateringapparatus. In such an apparatus, the intermediate fibrous web 84 passesover a sector of a cylinder having preferential-capillary-size poresthrough its cylindrical-shaped porous cover. Optionally, the predryer 86can be a combination capillary dewatering apparatus and flow-throughdryer. The quantity of water removed in the predryer 86 may becontrolled so that a predried fibrous web 88 exiting the predryer 86 hasa consistency of from about 30% to about 98%. The predried fibrous web88, which may still be associated with deflection member 64, may passaround another deflection member return roll 66 and as it travels to animpression nip roll 68. As the predried fibrous web 88 passes throughthe nip formed between impression nip roll 68 and a surface of a Yankeedryer 90, the ridge pattern formed by the top surface 72 of deflectionmember 64 is impressed into the predried fibrous web 88 to form a linearelement imprinted fibrous web 92. The imprinted fibrous web 92 can thenbe adhered to the surface of the Yankee dryer 90 where it can be driedto a consistency of at least about 95%.

The imprinted fibrous web 92 can then be foreshortened by creping theimprinted fibrous web 92 with a creping blade 94 to remove the imprintedfibrous web 92 from the surface of the Yankee dryer 90 resulting in theproduction of a creped fibrous structure 96 in accordance with thepresent invention. As used herein, foreshortening refers to thereduction in length of a dry (having a consistency of at least about 90%and/or at least about 95%) fibrous web which occurs when energy isapplied to the dry fibrous web in such a way that the length of thefibrous web is reduced and the fibers in the fibrous web are rearrangedwith an accompanying disruption of fiber-fiber bonds. Foreshortening canbe accomplished in any of several well-known ways. One common method offoreshortening is creping. The creped fibrous structure 96 may besubjected to post processing steps such as calendaring, tuft generatingoperations, and/or embossing and/or converting.

In addition to the Yankee fibrous structure making process/method, thefibrous structures of the present invention may be made using aYankeeless fibrous structure making process/method. Such a processoftentimes utilizes transfer fabrics to permit rush transfer of theembryonic fibrous web prior to drying. The fibrous structures producedby such a Yankeeless fibrous structure making process oftentimes asubstantially uniform density.

The molding member/deflection member of the present invention may beutilized to imprint linear elements into a fibrous structure during athrough-air-drying operation.

However, such molding members/deflection members may also be utilized asforming members upon which a fiber slurry is deposited.

In one example, the linear elements of the present invention may beformed by a plurality of non-linear elements, such as embossments and/orprotrusions and/or depressions formed by a molding member, that arearranged in a line having an overall length of greater than about 4.5 mmand/or greater than about 6 mm and/or greater than about 10 mm and/orgreater than about 20 mm and/or greater than about 30 mm and/or greaterthan about 45 mm and/or greater than about 60 mm and/or greater thanabout 75 mm and/or greater than about 90 mm.

In addition to imprinting linear elements into fibrous structures duringa fibrous structure making process/method, linear elements may becreated in a fibrous structure during a converting operation of afibrous structure. For example, linear elements may be imparted to afibrous structure by embossing linear elements into a fibrous structure.

Nonlimiting Example

A fibrous structure in accordance with the present invention is preparedusing a fibrous structure making machine having a layered headbox havinga top chamber, a center chamber, and a bottom chamber. A eucalyptusfiber slurry is pumped through the top headbox chamber, a eucalyptusfiber slurry is pumped through the bottom headbox chamber (i.e. thechamber feeding directly onto the forming wire) and, finally, an NSKfiber slurry is pumped through the center headbox chamber and deliveredin superposed relation onto the Fourdrinier wire to form thereon athree-layer embryonic web, of which about 33% of the top side is made upof the eucalyptus blended fibers, 33% is made of the eucalyptus fiberson the bottom side and 33% is made up of the NSK fibers in the center.Dewatering occurs through the Fourdrinier wire and is assisted by adeflector and vacuum boxes. The Fourdrinier wire is of a 5-shed, satinweave configuration having 87 machine-direction and 76cross-machine-direction monofilaments per inch, respectively. The speedof the Fourdrinier wire is about 750 fpm (feet per minute).

The embryonic wet web is transferred from the Fourdrinier wire, at afiber consistency of about 15% at the point of transfer, to a patterneddrying fabric. The speed of the patterned drying fabric is the same asthe speed of the Fourdrinier wire. The drying fabric is designed toyield a pattern of substantially machine direction oriented linearchannels having a continuous network of high density (knuckle) areas.This drying fabric is formed by casting an impervious resin surface ontoa fiber mesh supporting fabric. The supporting fabric is a 45×52filament, dual layer mesh. The thickness of the resin cast is about 11mils above the supporting fabric.

Further de-watering is accomplished by vacuum assisted drainage untilthe web has a fiber consistency of about 20% to 30%.

While remaining in contact with the patterned drying fabric, the web ispre-dried by air blow-through pre-dryers to a fiber consistency of about65% by weight.

After the pre-dryers, the semi-dry web is transferred to the Yankeedryer and adhered to the surface of the Yankee dryer with a sprayedcreping adhesive. The creping adhesive is an aqueous dispersion with theactives consisting of about 22% polyvinyl alcohol, about 11% CREPETROLA3025, and about 67% CREPETROL R6390. CREPETROL A3025 and CREPETROLR6390 are commercially available from Hercules Incorporated ofWilmington, Del. The creping adhesive is delivered to the Yankee surfaceat a rate of about 0.15% adhesive solids based on the dry weight of theweb. The fiber consistency is increased to about 97% before the web isdry creped from the Yankee with a doctor blade.

The doctor blade has a bevel angle of about 25 degrees and is positionedwith respect to the Yankee dryer to provide an impact angle of about 81degrees. The Yankee dryer is operated at a temperature of about 350° F.(177° C.) and a speed of about 750 fpm. The fibrous structure is woundin a roll using a surface driven reel drum having a surface speed ofabout 656 feet per minute. The fibrous structure may be subjected topost treatments such as embossing and/or tuft generating. The fibrousstructure may be subsequently converted into a two-ply sanitary tissueproduct having a basis weight of about 39 g/m². For each ply, the outerlayer having the eucalyptus fiber furnish is oriented toward the outsidein order to form the consumer facing surfaces of the two-ply sanitarytissue product.

The sanitary tissue product is soft, flexible and absorbent.

Test Methods

Unless otherwise specified, all tests described herein including thosedescribed under the Definitions section and the following test methodsare conducted on samples that have been conditioned in a conditionedroom at a temperature of 73° F. ±4° F. (about 23° C. ±2.2° C.) and arelative humidity of 50% ±10% for 2 hours prior to the test. All plasticand paper board packaging materials must be carefully removed from thepaper samples prior to testing. Discard any damaged product. All testsare conducted in such conditioned room.

Basis Weight Test Method

Basis weight of a fibrous structure sample is measured by selectingtwelve (12) usable units (also referred to as sheets) of the fibrousstructure and making two stacks of six (6) usable units each.Performation must be aligned on the same side when stacking the usableunits. A precision cutter is used to cut each stack into exactly 8.89cm×8.89 cm (3.5 in.×3.5 in.)

squares. The two stacks of cut squares are combined to make a basisweight pad of twelve (12) squares thick. The basis weight pad is thenweighed on a top loading balance with a minimum resolution of 0.01 g.The top loading balance must be protected from air drafts and otherdisturbances using a draft shield. Weights are recorded when thereadings on the top loading balance become constant. The Basis Weight iscalculated as follows:

${{Basis}\mspace{14mu} {{Weight}{\; \mspace{11mu}}\left( {{lbs}\text{/}3000\mspace{14mu} {ft}^{2}} \right)}} = \frac{{Weight}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {basis}\mspace{14mu} {weight}\mspace{14mu} {pad}\mspace{14mu} (g) \times 3000\mspace{14mu} {ft}^{2}}{\begin{matrix}{453.6\mspace{14mu} g\text{/}{lbs} \times 12\mspace{14mu} \left( {{usable}\mspace{14mu} {units}} \right) \times} \\\left\lbrack {12.25\mspace{14mu} {{{in}^{2}\left( {{Area}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {basis}\mspace{14mu} {weight}\mspace{14mu} {pad}} \right)}/144}\mspace{14mu} {in}^{2}} \right\rbrack\end{matrix}}$${{Basis}\mspace{14mu} {Weight}\mspace{14mu} \left( {g\text{/}m^{2}} \right)} = \frac{{Weight}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {basis}\mspace{14mu} {weight}\mspace{14mu} {pad}\mspace{14mu} (g) \times 10,000\mspace{14mu} {cm}^{2}\text{/}m^{2}}{\begin{matrix}{79.0321\mspace{14mu} {{cm}^{2}\left( {{Area}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {basis}\mspace{14mu} {weight}\mspace{14mu} {pad}} \right)} \times} \\{12\mspace{14mu} \left( {{usable}\mspace{14mu} {units}} \right)}\end{matrix}}$

Caliper Test Method

Caliper of a fibrous structure is measured by cutting five (5) samplesof fibrous structure such that each cut sample is larger in size than aload foot loading surface of a VIR Electronic Thickness Tester Model IIavailable from Thwing-Albert Instrument Company, Philadelphia, Pa.Typically, the load foot loading surface has a circular surface area ofabout 3.14 in². The sample is confined between a horizontal flat surfaceand the load foot loading surface. The load foot loading surface appliesa confining pressure to the sample of 15.5 g/cm². The caliper of eachsample is the resulting gap between the flat surface and the load footloading surface. The caliper is calculated as the average caliper of thefive samples. The result is reported in millimeters (mm).

Elongation, Tensile Strength, TEA and Modulus Test Methods

Remove five (5) strips of four (4) usable units (also referred to assheets) of fibrous structures and stack one on top of the other to forma long stack with the perforations between the sheets coincident.Identify sheets 1 and 3 for machine direction tensile measurements andsheets 2 and 4 for cross direction tensile measurements. Next, cutthrough the perforation line using a paper cutter (JDC-1-10 or JDC-1-12with safety shield from Thwing-Albert Instrument Co. of Philadelphia,Pa.) to make 4 separate stacks. Make sure stacks 1 and 3 are stillidentified for machine direction testing and stacks 2 and 4 areidentified for cross direction testing.

Cut two 1 inch (2.54 cm) wide strips in the machine direction fromstacks 1 and 3. Cut two 1 inch (2.54 cm) wide strips in the crossdirection from stacks 2 and 4. There are now four 1 inch (2.54 cm) widestrips for machine direction tensile testing and four 1 inch (2.54 cm)wide strips for cross direction tensile testing. For these finishedproduct samples, all eight 1 inch (2.54 cm) wide strips are five usableunits (sheets) thick.

For the actual measurement of the elongation, tensile strength, TEA andmodulus, use a Thwing-Albert Intelect II Standard Tensile Tester(Thwing-Albert Instrument Co. of Philadelphia, Pa.). Insert the flatface clamps into the unit and calibrate the tester according to theinstructions given in the operation manual of the Thwing-Albert IntelectII. Set the instrument crosshead speed to 4.00 in/min (10.16 cm/min) andthe 1st and 2nd gauge lengths to 2.00 inches (5.08 cm). The breaksensitivity is set to 20.0 grams and the sample width is set to 1.00inch (2.54 cm) and the sample thickness is set to 0.3937 inch (1 cm).The energy units are set to TEA and the tangent modulus (Modulus) trapsetting is set to 38.1 g.

Take one of the fibrous structure sample strips and place one end of itin one clamp of the tensile tester. Place the other end of the fibrousstructure sample strip in the other clamp. Make sure the long dimensionof the fibrous structure sample strip is running parallel to the sidesof the tensile tester. Also make sure the fibrous structure samplestrips are not overhanging to the either side of the two clamps. Inaddition, the pressure of each of the clamps must be in full contactwith the fibrous structure sample strip.

After inserting the fibrous structure sample strip into the two clamps,the instrument tension can be monitored. If it shows a value of 5 gramsor more, the fibrous structure sample strip is too taut. Conversely, ifa period of 2-3 seconds passes after starting the test before any valueis recorded, the fibrous structure sample strip is too slack.

Start the tensile tester as described in the tensile tester instrumentmanual. The test is complete after the crosshead automatically returnsto its initial starting position. When the test is complete, read andrecord the following with units of measure:

Peak Load Tensile (Tensile Strength) (g/in)

Peak Elongation (Elongation) (%)

Peak TEA (TEA) (in-g/in²)

Tangent Modulus (Modulus) (at 15 g/cm)

Test each of the samples in the same manner, recording the abovemeasured values from each test.

Calculations:

Geometric Mean(GM)Elongation=Square Root of [MD Elongation(%)×CDElongation(%)]

Total Dry Tensile(TDT)=Peak Load MD Tensile(g/in)+Peak Load CDTensile(g/in)

Tensile Ratio=Peak Load MD Tensile(g/in)/Peak Load CD Tensile(g/in)

Geometric Mean(GM)Tensile=[Square Root of(Peak Load MDTensile(g/in)×Peak Load CD Tensile(g/in))]×3

TEA=MD TEA(in-g/in²)+CD TEA(in-g/in²)

Geometric Mean(GM)TEA=Square Root of [MD TEA(in-g/in²)×CD TEA(in-g/in²)]

Modulus=MD Modulus(at 15g/cm)+CD Modulus(at 15 g/cm)

Geometric Mean (GM) Modulus=Square Root of [MD Modulus (at 15 g/cm) x CDModulus (at 15 g/cm)]

Dry Burst Test Method

Fibrous structure samples for each condition to be tested are cut to asize appropriate for testing (minimum sample size 4.5 inches×4.5inches), a minimum of five (5) samples for each condition to be testedare prepared.

A burst tester (Burst Tester Intelect-II-STD Tensile Test Instrument,Cat. No. 1451-24PGB available from Thwing-Albert Instrument Co.,Philadelphia, Pa.) is set up according to the manufacturer'sinstructions and the following conditions: Speed: 12.7 centimeters perminute; Break Sensitivity: 20 grams; and Peak Load: 2000 grams. The loadcell is calibrated according to the expected burst strength.

A fibrous structure sample to be tested is clamped and held between theannular clamps of the burst tester and is subjected to increasing forcethat is applied by a 0.625 inch diameter, polished stainless steel ballupon operation of the burst tester according to the manufacturer'sinstructions. The burst strength is that force that causes the sample tofail.

The burst strength for each fibrous structure sample is recorded. Anaverage and a standard deviation for the burst strength for eachcondition is calculated.

The Dry Burst is reported as the average and standard deviation for eachcondition to the nearest gram.

Horizontal Full Sheet (HFS) Test Method

The Horizontal Full Sheet (HFS) test method determines the amount ofdistilled water absorbed and retained by a fibrous structure of thepresent invention. This method is performed by first weighing a sampleof the fibrous structure to be tested (referred to herein as the “dryweight of the sample”), then thoroughly wetting the sample, draining thewetted sample in a horizontal position and then reweighing (referred toherein as “wet weight of the sample”). The absorptive capacity of thesample is then computed as the amount of water retained in units ofgrams of water absorbed by the sample. When evaluating different fibrousstructure samples, the same size of fibrous structure is used for allsamples tested.

The apparatus for determining the HFS capacity of fibrous structurescomprises the following:

1) An electronic balance with a sensitivity of at least ±0.01 grams anda minimum capacity of 1200 grams. The balance should be positioned on abalance table and slab to minimize the vibration effects offloor/benchtop weighing. The balance should also have a special balancepan to be able to handle the size of the sample tested (i.e.; a fibrousstructure sample of about 11 in. (27.9 cm) by 11 in. (27.9 cm)). Thebalance pan can be made out of a variety of materials. Plexiglass is acommon material used.

2) A sample support rack (FIG. 16) and sample support rack cover (FIG.17) is also required. Both the rack and cover are comprised of alightweight metal frame, strung with 0.012 in. (0.305 cm) diametermonofilament so as to form a grid as shown in FIG. 16. The size of thesupport rack and cover is such that the sample size can be convenientlyplaced between the two.

The HFS test is performed in an environment maintained at 23±1° C. and50±2% relative humidity. A water reservoir or tub is filled withdistilled water at 23±1° C. to a depth of 3 inches (7.6 cm).

Eight samples of a fibrous structure to be tested are carefully weighedon the balance to the nearest 0.01 grams. The dry weight of each sampleis reported to the nearest 0.01 grams. The empty sample support rack isplaced on the balance with the special balance pan described above. Thebalance is then zeroed (tared). One sample is carefully placed on thesample support rack. The support rack cover is placed on top of thesupport rack. The sample (now sandwiched between the rack and cover) issubmerged in the water reservoir. After the sample is submerged for 60seconds, the sample support rack and cover are gently raised out of thereservoir.

The sample, support rack and cover are allowed to drain horizontally for120±5 seconds, taking care not to excessively shake or vibrate thesample. While the sample is draining, the rack cover is carefullyremoved and all excess water is wiped from the support rack. The wetsample and the support rack are weighed on the previously tared balance.The weight is recorded to the nearest 0.01 g. This is the wet weight ofthe sample.

The gram per fibrous structure sample absorptive capacity of the sampleis defined as (wet weight of the sample−dry weight of the sample). Thehorizontal absorbent capacity (HAC) is defined as: absorbentcapacity=(wet weight of the sample−dry weight of the sample)/(dry weightof the sample) and has a unit of gram/gram.

Vertical Full Sheet (VFS) Test Method

The Vertical Full Sheet (VFS) test method determines the amount ofdistilled water absorbed and retained by a fibrous structure of thepresent invention. This method is performed by first weighing a sampleof the fibrous structure to be tested (referred to herein as the “dryweight of the sample”), then thoroughly wetting the sample, draining thewetted sample in a vertical position and then reweighing (referred toherein as “wet weight of the sample”). The absorptive capacity of thesample is then computed as the amount of water retained in units ofgrams of water absorbed by the sample. When evaluating different fibrousstructure samples, the same size of fibrous structure is used for allsamples tested.

The apparatus for determining the VFS capacity of fibrous structurescomprises the following:

1) An electronic balance with a sensitivity of at least ±0.01 grams anda minimum capacity of 1200 grams. The balance should be positioned on abalance table and slab to minimize the vibration effects offloor/benchtop weighing. The balance should also have a special balancepan to be able to handle the size of the sample tested (i.e.; a fibrousstructure sample of about 11 in. (27.9 cm) by 11 in. (27.9 cm)). Thebalance pan can be made out of a variety of materials. Plexiglass is acommon material used.

2) A sample support rack (FIG. 16) and sample support rack cover (FIG.17) is also required. Both the rack and cover are comprised of alightweight metal frame, strung with 0.012 in. (0.305 cm) diametermonofilament so as to form a grid as shown in FIG. 16. The size of thesupport rack and cover is such that the sample size can be convenientlyplaced between the two.

The VFS test is performed in an environment maintained at 23±1° C. and50±2% relative humidity. A water reservoir or tub is filled withdistilled water at 23±1 ° C. to a depth of 3 inches (7.6 cm).

Eight 19.05 cm (7.5 inch)×19.05 cm (7.5 inch) to 27.94 cm (11inch)×27.94 cm (11 inch) samples of a fibrous structure to be tested arecarefully weighed on the balance to the nearest 0.01 grams. The dryweight of each sample is reported to the nearest 0.01 grams. The emptysample support rack is placed on the balance with the special balancepan described above. The balance is then zeroed (tared). One sample iscarefully placed on the sample support rack. The support rack cover isplaced on top of the support rack. The sample (now sandwiched betweenthe rack and cover) is submerged in the water reservoir. After thesample is submerged for 60 seconds, the sample support rack and coverare gently raised out of the reservoir.

The sample, support rack and cover are allowed to drain vertically for60±5 seconds, taking care not to excessively shake or vibrate thesample. While the sample is draining, the rack cover is carefullyremoved and all excess water is wiped from the support rack. The wetsample and the support rack are weighed on the previously tared balance.The weight is recorded to the nearest 0.01 g. This is the wet weight ofthe sample.

The procedure is repeated for with another sample of the fibrousstructure, however, the sample is positioned on the support rack suchthat the sample is rotated 90° compared to the position of the firstsample on the support rack.

The gram per fibrous structure sample absorptive capacity of the sampleis defined as (wet weight of the sample - dry weight of the sample). Thecalculated VFS is the average of the absorptive capacities of the twosamples of the fibrous structure.

Dimensions of Linear Element/Linear Element Forming Component TestMethod

The length of a linear element in a fibrous structure and/or the lengthof a linear element forming component in a molding member is measured byimage scaling of a light microscopy image of a sample of fibrousstructure.

A light microscopy image of a sample to be analyzed such as a fibrousstructure or a molding member is obtained with a representative scaleassociated with the image. The images is saved as a *.tiff file on acomputer. Once the image is saved, SmartSketch, version 05.00.35.14software made by Intergraph Corporation of Huntsville, Ala., is opened.Once the software is opened and running on the computer, the user clickson “New” from the “File” drop-down panel. Next, “Normal” is selected.“Properties” is then selected from the “File” drop-down panel. Under the“Units” tab, “mm” (millimeters) is chosen as the unit of measure and“0.123” as the precision of the measurement. Next, “Dimension” isselected from the

“Format” drop-down panel. Click the “Units” tab and ensure that the“Units” and “Unit Labels” read “mm” and that the “Round-Off” is set at“0.123.” Next, the “rectangle” shape from the selection panel isselected and dragged into the sheet area. Highlight the top horizontalline of the rectangle and set the length to the corresponding scaleindicated light microscopy image. This will set the width of therectangle to the scale required for sizing the light microscopy image.Now that the rectangle has been sized for the light microscopy image,highlight the top horizontal line and delete the line. Highlight theleft and right vertical lines and the bottom horizontal line and select“Group”. This keeps each of the line segments grouped at the widthdimension (“mm”) selected earlier. With the group highlighted, drop the“line width” panel down and type in “0.01 mm.” The scaled line segmentgroup is now ready to use for scaling the light microscopy image can beconfirmed by right-clicking on the “dimension between”, then clicking onthe two vertical line segments.

To insert the light microscopy image, click on the “Image” from the“insert” drop-down panel. The image type is preferably a *.tiff format.Select the light microscopy image to be inserted from the saved file,then click on the sheet to place the light microscopy image. Click onthe right bottom corner of the image and drag the corner diagonally frombottom-right to top-left. This will ensure that the image's aspect ratiowill not be modified. Using the “Zoom In” feature, click on the imageuntil the light microscopy image scale and the scale group line segmentscan be seen. Move the scale group segment over the light microscopyimage scale. Increase or decrease the light microscopy image size asneeded until the light microscopy image scale and the scale group linesegments are equal. Once the light microscopy image scale and the scalegroup line segments are visible, the object(s) depicted in the lightmicroscopy image can be measured using “line symbols” (located in theselection panel on the right) positioned in a parallel fashion and the“Distance Between” feature. For length and width measurements, a topview of a fibrous structure and/or molding member is used as the lightmicroscopy image. For a height measurement, a side or cross sectionalview of the fibrous structure and/or molding member is used as the lightmicroscopy image.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation ofany document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect toany invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in anycombination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests ordiscloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. An embossed, multi-ply fibrous structure comprising at least onefibrous structure ply that exhibits a Geometric Mean Elongation ofgreater than 15.8% as measured according to the Elongation Test Method.2. The fibrous structure according to claim 1 wherein the fibrousstructure ply exhibits a Geometric Mean Elongation of greater than 16%as measured according to the Elongation Test Method.
 3. The fibrousstructure according to claim 2 wherein the fibrous structure plyexhibits a Geometric Mean Elongation of greater than 17% as measuredaccording to the Elongation Test Method.
 4. The fibrous structureaccording to claim 1 wherein the fibrous structure ply further exhibitsa Basis Weight of less than 43.7 gsm as measured according to the BasisWeight Test Method.
 5. The fibrous structure according to claim 4wherein the fibrous structure ply exhibits a Basis Weight of less than42.8 gsm as measured according to the Basis Weight Test Method.
 6. Thefibrous structure according to claim 1 wherein the fibrous structure plyfurther exhibits a Dry Burst of greater than 100 g as measured accordingto the Dry Burst Test Method.
 7. The fibrous structure according toclaim 5 wherein the fibrous structure ply exhibits a Dry Burst ofgreater than 100 g to about 1000 g as measured according to the DryBurst Test Method.
 8. The fibrous structure according to claim 1 whereinthe fibrous structure ply further exhibits a Dry Burst of less than 660g as measured according to the Dry Burst Test Method.
 9. The fibrousstructure according to claim 8 wherein the fibrous structure plyexhibits a Dry Burst of from about 100 g to less than 660 g as measuredaccording to the Dry Burst Test Method.
 10. The fibrous structureaccording to claim 1 wherein the fibrous structure ply further exhibitsa Geometric Mean Modulus of greater than 758 at 15 g/cm as measuredaccording to the Modulus Test Method.
 11. The fibrous structureaccording to claim 1 wherein the fibrous structure ply comprisescellulosic pulp fibers.
 12. The fibrous structure according to Claim Iwherein the fibrous structure ply comprises a throughdried fibrousstructure ply.
 13. The fibrous structure according to claim 1 whereinthe fibrous structure ply comprises an uncreped fibrous structure ply.14. The fibrous structure according to claim 1 wherein the embossed,multi-ply fibrous structure is a sanitary tissue product.
 15. Thefibrous structure according to claim 14 wherein the sanitary tissueproduct is in roll form.
 16. The fibrous structure according to claim 14wherein the sanitary tissue product is toilet tissue.
 17. An embossed,multi-ply fibrous structure comprising at least one fibrous structureply that exhibits a Geometric Mean Elongation of greater than 15.8% asmeasured according to the Elongation Test Method and a Dry Burst of lessthan 660 g as measured according to the Dry Burst Test Method.
 18. Thefibrous structure according to claim 17 wherein the fibrous structureply exhibits a Geometric Mean Elongation of greater than 16% as measuredaccording to the Elongation Test Method.
 19. The fibrous structureaccording to claim 18 wherein the fibrous structure ply exhibits aGeometric Mean Elongation of greater than 17% as measured according tothe Elongation Test Method.
 20. The fibrous structure according to claim17 wherein the fibrous structure ply exhibits a Dry Burst of greaterthan 100 g to less than 660 g as measured according to the Dry BurstTest Method.
 21. The fibrous structure according to claim 17 wherein thefibrous structure ply further exhibits a Geometric Mean Modulus ofgreater than 758 at 15g/cm as measured according to the Modulus TestMethod.
 22. The fibrous structure according to claim 17 wherein thefibrous structure ply comprises cellulosic pulp fibers.
 23. The fibrousstructure according to claim 17 wherein the fibrous structure plycomprises a throughdried fibrous structure ply.
 24. The fibrousstructure according to claim 17 wherein the fibrous structure plycomprises an uncreped fibrous structure ply.
 25. The fibrous structureaccording to claim 17 wherein the embossed, multi-ply fibrous structureis a sanitary tissue product.
 26. The fibrous structure according toclaim 25 wherein the sanitary tissue product is in roll form.
 27. Thefibrous structure according to claim 25 wherein the sanitary tissueproduct is toilet tissue.